Monday Made-It - Wreaths, Resources, and Pie ... Oh My

YAY for summer!!! We just finished our school year on Friday and oh my goodness - it's been quite the year. I honestly feel my Monday Made-It post should be ...

I made it to the end of the year.

Done.

That alone is reason to celebrate.

But ... I've managed to accomplish a few more things to share.

I made a beautiful summer wreath for my door. I had seen a gorgeous wreath with little red tulip buds, and headed out to Michaels to gather some supplies. But alas, they didn't have nearly enough tulip buds to make a wreath. So, I had to come up with a new plan. I finally (after many handfuls of flowers and making my daughter lay them out on the floor in a circle shape) decided on green hydrangea blossoms and little cream rose buds. I love it.

Now, I should mention, I'm not one for fussy crafts. I can't be bothered with the floral wire and tape, so I just snipped the flowers off the stems with my scissors, and pulled out my glue gun. Everything you see is glue gunned on (is that a verb?), which made the entire process much quicker, and I didn't even burn myself this time. (But, one week later and the "E" has fallen off ... maybe I should have glued that one on a little stronger). For the wreath I used 4 large hydrangea blossoms, and about 7 bunches of cream rose buds. Isn't it pretty??

I also finally finished my Text Structure Concept Posters. They had been on my to-do list forever, and had been sitting unfinished in my permanently open PowerPoint tab on my computer. But, I put the push on, and finished them up.

I included 2 different posters for each text structure (cause and effect, compare and contrast, description, problem and solution, and sequence). One poster is more general - perfect for teaching or modelling the text structure. The other poster is more text specific (but can be used with any nonfiction text) - focusing on what the student learned from the text, using the text structure. It also includes a graphic organizer specific to the text structure. This one is great for a summative assessment.

I also included a student checklist for success criteria, rubric, blank template, and completed example.

Last but not least, I made this little beauty last night for tonight's supper. The strawberries and rhubarb are fresh out of my garden, and as soon as my husband picked them, I knew a pie was in order.

The recipe was quick and easy ... because that's how I roll in the summer. ;)

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

3 1/2 cups strawberries (quartered)

3 1/2 cups rhubarb (cut into 1/2" slices)

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 cup white sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

2 tbsp butter

Mix all ingredients (except the butter) and pour into prepared pie shell (I used a frozen shell, because I can't stand rolling out pie dough).

Dab butter on top before putting on top crust (I thawed the frozen shell a bit and used my pizza cutter to cut strips so I could make a lattice top).

Brush top with cream or milk and sprinkle sugar on top (I used raw sugar). *This step is completely optional.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, then turn the oven down to 350 degrees and bake for another 25-30 minutes.

Your wreath is GORGEOUS! I am super impressed! Seeing that pie makes me think of my grandma...she made the most amazing pie crust...sigh. I can't wait to go check out your text structure posters; everything you make is SUCH high quality!

Ok.....that pie looks divine!!!!! YUMMY!!!! Your wreath is beautiful. I need to make something for my door....I feel like I'm not that good at it..lol. Love all you do! Thanks for linking up:)4th Grade Frolics

I love your text structure posters. They will prove to be really useful. A couple of questions: (1) what software do you use to create your resources, and (2) what is the name of the font used for the bodytext on page 2 of the text structure posters? Thanks.

I'm new to your blog and I've been inspired. I am trying the ISNB in the fall and I also want to redo a few of my assignments. What program did you use to create your posters? I love the posters and your wreath!

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Welcome to Runde's Room! I'm Jen, and I am passionate about teaching and sharing my upper grade classroom ideas and resources here on my blog. I've taught grades 5 - 8 for 13 years, and currently have a split grade 5/6 class. I love creating engaging, fun, and rigorous activities for my students that keep learning fun. I'm also a wife and a mom to three beautiful little girls, and love soaking up every single moment with them. Be sure to follow my blog to join me on my blogging journey.